DFC

I, too, think the engine of the RR Phantom has shaft-driven camshaft, altho' I can find no evidence for this even with internet searches for rolls-royce phantom II engine parts. However, I did find at www.fiennesparts.uk a catalogue of parts for the same with photos (and prices) but without any details of the camshaft drive. To make best use of this website you will have to be very specific about the model of the Phantom II in which you're interested. My search also found www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintage-cars-classic-india/131178-rolls-royce-phantom-ii-continental-restoration with 5 pages about a restoration that has much detail while again failing to deal with the camshaft drive. An option I haven't explored is to search internet sites, eg ebay or prewarcar.com, for camshaft drive parts. I will continue to follow your thread for developments.

I will not be surprised if Pocher issue another Lotus 72, eg in Godl Leaf livery, altho Pocher will have to change the rear suspension, wing etc. Pocher may also choose to continue the Lotus theme with a 25/33 or 49. A Maserati 250F will be welcome, too.

As promised Octane issue 251 (May) has an article on the Fiat 130hp GP with a summary of its history and whereabouts since its sale by Fiat in 1910 to a collector who retained it until the 1950s. The gold lining on the chassis was applied during the 1910-50 period of ownership and so is non-original The Fiat now has stub exhausts cf period photos from 1907 which show 4 pipes behind the bonnet merging into a horizontal tailpipe The Fiat now has wooden slats below the fuel tank (presumably for protection from flying stones) The Fiat now has an undertray as far back as the clutch The radiator is still brass cf period photos which show it the same colour as the main body and chassis A HT magneto was fitted during the period 1910-50 So now we have a choice to model the Fiat as per 1907, as displayed in the Turin museum until its recent restoration, or as now.

Peter, Try pocherpacific1907fiat.wordpress.com for a detailed build log which appeared on scalemotorcars.com. DFC

Peter, I've checked my hard drive and found all threads except one are on Scale Motor Cars and are inaccessible there. The exception is from a German website and the link has been lost. In all I have 365Mb of downloads.

Peter, The Scale Motor Cars website (scalemotorcars.com) has been inaccessible for several weeks and I'm not optimistic about its return. Leave this with me for a while and I'll look for threads on mainland European websites.

I have the Pocher Fiat kit (or rather two incomplete kits plus parts bought via ebay) and will probably build this after my Pocher Lotus 72 and Ixo Mercedes W196. I've had the Fiat kit(s) for more than 10 years and researched the vehicle at that time. An internet search for Fiat 130hp GP 1907 will bring up lots of images of builds of Pocher and Revival (1-20) kits together with 10 or 20 period photos but the period photos include no close-ups and several have evidently been retouched. These show an exhaust system rather different to the Pocher kit and the radiator and scuttle painted red. The Scale Motors Cars website has not been available for several weeks now and, I guess, may not return. This is shame because the website had several build threads showing how to add additional detail, eg the missing water pump and corrected timing gears. One of the model-builders visited the Turin museum and posted about 100 photos - not just the typical general views but also many of the underside of the Fiat. There were also some archive drawings of the 1907 French GP vehicle but also related Fiat racers. I've never assumed that websites are permanent and have a policy of downloading threads and photos. There may still be Pocher build threads on German websites although internet searches don't generally reveal these. The Turin museum Fiat has been restored in the last year or so and has made some public appearances. The radiator is still brass and an undertray has been (re) fitted. A new edition of Octane magazine was released a day or so ago and promises a feature on the Fiat next month.

Paul Koo's CD is truly excellent, with a more logical approach to the build sequence and lots of reference photos (mostly unknown to me).. The detail kit is available from Paul direct (his email should be in an earlier page of this thread) with a spreadsheet table that identifies which parts are used at each stage. I do recommend it.

Finally I've started my build following Paul Koo's CD and using his detail kit. Although I've built the Pocher Alfa and Porsche 911, Rosso Ferrari 643 and partwork MP4/23 and MP4/4 McLarens, I'm finding the Lotus 72 slow and time-consuming with pre-tapping screws, detail painting etc, and some steps are downright fiddly. Time isn't a real issue - just more hours of modelmaking for the purchase price but I'm very grateful for this thread. I haven't even removed Pocher's instructions from the bag. I had considered stripping the aluminium paint from the engine, transmission and cockpit interior. Winter means I can only spray small parts in the airing cupboard (with suitable protections for the regular contents, so the extra effort doesn't seem worthwhile. My thanks to all.

One of the recent motoring mags led me to www.collectingcars.com where there are almost 300 photos of FW13B-08 which is in very original condition. Any Tamiya modellers out there?

I've been working through Paul Koo's CD in preparation for the start of my build in January. He points out several areas where paint colours are inconsistent with the main references and it seems that Pocher were unwilling to finish any part of the kit in two colours altho' current technology would enable this. It's a good kit, however, in my view and Paul's CD makes the build much easier.

I expect to begin my build of the Lotus 72 in January so I shall be following closely your build in Paul Koo's order. There seem tp be quite a few parts requiring the stripping of silver paint and other requiring painting black but overall I'm impressed with the kit and upgrade.

Perhaps this should be moved to Walkrounds?

If you search the internet for Bonham car sales you will find 60-plus photos for each of the above race-cars which are lots in a forthcoming auctions. Excellent reference for modellers.

Noel, In an idle moment I searched the internet for drawings but found nothing other than photos of a 1-3 scale T51 engine. Conway (in GP Bugatti) says "apart from ... shifting the magneto to the left side of the dash, the use of twin filler caps on the fuel tank, and well-base cast aluminium wheels with fixed rims, the car was to all intents identical with the T35B. A minor change ... was the lowering of the blower blow-off valve hole on the right-hand bonnet side". "The crankcase, crank and connecting rods were standard T35B. The block had an integral head with individual valve ports, tow for each cylinder, and a central plug." HTH David

Noel, I've checked my reference files and have no drawing of the T51 engine or gearbox altho I suspect the T51 gearbox is the same as the T35 etc. The Bugatti Owners' Club website has a pdf catalogue of parts which includes photos of individual parts (including engine blocks) in the later pages.

Paul, If you send me a PM with your email address I'll send you more details of engine bearers.

Noel, you're correct to mention the Model Motorcar replacement parts. Some months ago I exchanged several emails with a fellow associated with them who was trying to develop even better engine bearers. This seems tricky. I'm looking forward to your WIP.

I too have a 50T on the to-do list. For me important details to upgrade are the Meccano-style engine mounts. Do you intend to tackle these?

I should have given Paul Koo's email address: [email protected] My apologies.

After a PM on this site I ordered from Paul Koo his latest Pocher detail kit which is for the Pocher Lotus 72D priced $145 and provides hardware such as cap socket bolts in various sizes and additional decals as well as a CD with a revised build sequence and reference photos. I received mine a few days ago and recommend it to any builder of the Pocher Lotus 72.

I won't call it my "bucket list" although it's something I've wanted to do for a long while. Yesterday I did the Classic Team Lotus tour at Hethel where there were 5 examples of the Lotus 72E on display; I also had the opportunity to see up close an OOB build of the Pocher model.

John, Usually when asked what is the most beautiful car I say Jaguar D-type. I now realise the Alfa 2900 MM tops even that. You're doing it justice with you work.

My next build will be the Pocher Lotus 72D so it's good to see that the detail kit from Paul Koo is "imminent" although I can find nothing on the Autograph website or elsewhere on the web.

Camwader, Congratulations on your ebay win! Model Motor Cars trailed the prospect of a 8C 2900MM based on the Pocher Monza although that seems to have lapsed, probably in recognition of the extensive work required by the long wheel base of the 2900MM. I remember seeing RAE's 1-8 models of the Lotus 18, XK120 etc in the 1970s and 1980s and I believe the Lotus 18 may be in production again. RAE also produced a series of 1-20 white metal kits, including ERA B-type, BRM P25, Lotus 16 and Jaguar D-type. I'm building the ERA at present and have the Lotus 16 to follow. A year or so ago I finished the Pocher Monza that I started in 1978. At one time I intended to build a clothed versions and a chassis with engine, transmission, steering and brakes; other 1-8 race-cars are now on the to-do list, so I have a miscellaneous collection of redundant parts including chassis rails, axles, suspension parts and a set of MMC's road-springs. I'm not inclined to try to dispose of these parts piecemeal but would happily pass these to you free of charge. If you are interested please email me at [email protected].